While it is possible to walk up to Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi, there are easier options. Segway, scooter, and Vespa tours of the city make light work of the ascent, and allow you to cover more ground in limited time. Many sightseeing and food tours of the Trastevere neighborhood include a stop at Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi for its views, which stretch across the historic center of Rome.
Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi is situated atop Janiculum Hill in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. Walking up to the top can be strenuous. If you aren’t up for the uphill slog, ride the 115 bus up instead. Or, take a tour on wheels via Segway, Vespa, or scooter.
Rise early to see the sunrise or go at sunset to admire the Roman skyline in the soft light of the fading sun. Alternatively, come at noon to hear the nearby Gianicolo Cannon ring in the hour.
Every day at noon, a cannon near the piazza fires off a blank round, creating an almighty noise that reverberates around Trastevere and beyond. The tradition first began in 1847 as Pope Pius IX tried to set a standard time for Rome’s church bells. Though there was a hiatus during the World Wars, the cannon has been sounding off regularly since 1959. While it might make travelers jump, locals are used to its loud boom.
